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Jüri Tarmo sadly passed away unexpectedly on 31st May at his home in Berkeley, He was 67.

Funeral Details:
11am on Tuesday 14th June
Lakeside Crematorium
230 Kanahooka Road
Dapto NSW 2530

with wake to follow at the

Illawarra German Club
636A Northcliffe Dr,
Kembla Grange NSW 2526, Australia

81st anniversary of mass deportations from the Baltic States by Soviet Union occupying forces 1941 

COMMEMORATION CONCERT

Sunday, 5th June at 2pm

Location:

Latvian House
32 Parnell Street, Strathfield

Guest speaker: 

Kateryna Argyrou
Co-chair of the
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations

Every year, around 14th June, Baltic communities all over the world commemorate mass-deportations from their homelands by occupying forces of the Soviet Union, to the Soviet gulag starting on the 14th of June, 1941 and continuing after WWII.

In Sydney, Australians of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian descent, from many areas, near and far, gather at the Latvian Centre in Strathfield to commemorate the genocide which befell their people. They invite Members of Parliament, civic and community leaders and friends to join them on this, the Baltic communities’ day of mourning and remembrance. 

This year marks the 81st anniversary of the first forced mass-deportations of Baltic people by Soviet forces. The commemoration is particularly relevant in the light of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Tomy Cash is in Australia for the first time, with shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne & Perth

Tickets available through the links below:

Expressions of interest are now being sought from individuals and organisations who wish to apply for funding of projects which satisfy the objectives of the Foundation.

The ECFA supports Estonian cultural activities nationwide. In previous years, the ECFA has supported organisations including :

• ‘Sõrve’ Estonian Children’s Summer Camp
• Hans Ots Award for subsidising costs of attending Sõrve for children living outside Sydney
• Estonian Archives in Australia
• Brisbane Playground Group
• ‘Kooskõlas’ Mixed Choir
• ‘Eesti Päevad’ Estonian Festivals
• AESL book and DVD “Estonians in Australia 100 years”
• Virmalised’ – Sydney Estonian Folk Dancers

What is the Estonian Cultural Foundation?

For more information on the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia, the selection criteria and to download the applications forms please visit the ECFA (Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia) website:

The Estonian Relief Committee (ERC) was formed in 1945 at the end of WWII to help Estonian refugees in war-torn Europe. Initially it provided parcels of food and clothing but later branched out into arranging landing permits for people to come to Australia and providing financial help when needed.

The ERC raised funds by organising formal balls and having an annual fundraising drive.

In the 1950s it was decided to build a retirement village. The ERC bought land in Thirlmere where there was an active Estonian community. Funds raised by the ERC were matched by the government. The village was opened in 1967 and continued to grow and prosper over many years.

Unfortunately high costs, problems with funding and changes in government regulations made running the village by volunteers increasingly difficult and in 2012 the ERC sold the village to RSL life.

With those funds and later monies from the sale of the Estonian House in Thirlmere, the ERC looked to the future. To fit the new goals of the organisation the ERC changed its name to the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (ECFA). Membership is open to all Australian citizens who support the objects of the Foundation.

The ECFA supports Estonian cultural activities nationwide. The grants are advertised annually, usually in May, and close in June. Both organisations and individuals are welcome to apply for the grants. Over the last three years, the ECFA has funded activities totalling over $50,000.
2022 – $17,550
2021 – $20,250
2020 – $17,652

Nationwide the Foundation has supported organisations including the:

• Childrens’ summer camp “Sõrve”
• Hans Ots Award for subsidising costs of attending Sõrve for children living outside Sydney
• Estonian Archives in Australia
• Choir “Kooskõlas
• Estonian Festivals
• AESL book and DVD “Estonians in Australia 100 years” which was a gift from the Estonian community in Australia to Estonia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of independence
• Australian Estonian newspaper “Meie Kodu”

The Foundation has in recent years supported the following organisations across Australia:

NSW

• Sydney Estonian House Co-operative Society
• Folkdancers “Virmalised”
• the SES Handicrafts Association
• Singing ensemble “Lõke”
• Estonian Children’s Playgroup (Sydney Mudilasring)
• Sydney Estonian Parents’ and Friends’ Association – ‘Sõrve Sõbrad’

SA

• The choir “Hapukoor”

QLD

• Brisbane Playgroup

The ECFA has also supported individual projects such as:

• Virge Nielsen organising the “Baltic Artists in Australia – Celebrating 100 Years” , a retrospective group exhibition of artists living and working in Australia, with origins from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the NSW House of Parliament
• Tiina Alvre digitising SES records
• Aksel Haagensen’s production of a documentary film regarding Estonian refugees in Australia

The ECFA supports language, dance, music, handicraft, art, literature and history but does not fund commercial activities or personal salaries. We welcome submissions from all over Australia that support the aims to facilitate the promotion of Estonian culture in Australia.

Grant applications will be opening shortly. An announcement will be made on our website, on eesti.org.au and various Estonian Social Media groups

For more details on the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia, including membership and grant information, please visit our website at http://ecfa.eesti.org.au

Don’t miss out!

nublu and Gameboy Tetris are young and very popular Estonian rap & hip hop artists. nublu has won multiple awards and been crowned the Best Male Artist of 2018 in Estonia. nublu and Gameboy Tetris have been performing together for many years and their witty and catchy songs are well suited for both, Estonian and English audiences. Don’t miss out on their first live performance in Australia!

Good concert demands a good sound and lighting… Siiri and Dave will be taking care that the concert will be spectacular. 

Siiri Metsar has a solid reputation in studio recording as well as in live music production in Australia and overseas. Her work has encompassed all things audio, from the demands of popular Australian music festivals and international touring, to audio production in many of Melbourne’s theatres and halls, to long-standing associations with the prestigious Famous Spiegeltent and Strut & Fret Production House, various Australian festivals including Maldon and Port Fairy Folk Festivals, Stringybark, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Woodford Folk Festival etc.  

Book your tickets now!

Baltic Folk jewelry will preview it’s first collection at Eesti Päevad Melbourne April 15-18, 2022. Anne Barratt and 2nd cousin and God-Daughter Kati-Rose Savi are the founders and designers behind this business. Both are of Estonian heritage and draw on this culture and its traditions for their inspiration to create quality modern heirloom pieces at an affordable price.

Kati-Rose and Anne have a penchant for traditional Estonian jewelry which is made to compliment national costumes from different regions of the country. Both also loving more contemporary jewelry, couldn’t find what they wanted for themselves so decided to create something, and birthed Baltic Folk and their Signature Collection. A second collection is already in the pipe line.

The Signature Collection comprises of 9 individual pieces made from high quality 935 Argentium Silver, with findings such as clasps and hooks made with 925 Stirling Silver. The number represents the part per 1000 of silver.

The key motifs in this Collection are The North Star and Rose. The North Star has long been used by navigators as their guiding light, and the rose is a symbol of pure love.

The designs are also to suit all genders, and can be worn together, or mix and match by stacking the Folk Flower Bar for example with the Baltic Amulet. The sizing is also purposefully created to fit hands of a larger European size.

The Melbourne Eesti Päevad is a 4 day event and Baltic Folk will exhibit each day. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances stock will not be ready to sell, however there will be one complete set so people can come and try on for size, and then order a little later via the online store at www.balticfolk.com.au.

Traditionally these Australian Estonian festivals are held once every three years, rotating between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. A similar bigger World Estonian song and dance festival is held every four years in Tallinn Estonia. Kati-Rose, Anne, her husband and their dance troupe Virmalised (translates to North Lights) had the honour of participating in this event. It was the first time in over 60 years that an Australian troupe had been selected through their strict audition process.

Anne says: “It took a lot of physical work and stamina but it was well worth it, and a highlight of our life experiences that will stay with us forever. Our next aim is to take Baltic Folk there to exhibit at the market held at the Song Festival”.

You can register your interest on the Baltic Folk web page to be notified once the online store goes live – www.balticfolk.com.au